9781422274057

While issues like the preservation of various species of animals, plants, and insects have always been with us, other environmental issues are of a more modern nature. Since the Industrial Revolution , the utilization of fos- sil fuels as a source of energy has contributed to global climate change , as well as our air pollution and water pollution levels. Along with being destructive to the en- vironment and leading to changes in our climate, these issues also pose a direct threat the human health and de- velopment. These issues contribute to an array of diseases, chronic health issues, birth defects, and more. They also impact our food and water supplies in a negative manner. Over 7.7 billion people currently call the planet earth their home. While the earth is full of resources that help to ensure the survival of those 7.7 billion (and counting) peo- ple, there are a number of issues that threaten the stability of the environment. These issues range from a finite num- ber of resources to pollution to climate change to endan- gered species and much more. Protecting our environment and ensuring that the earth remains habitable for humans for years to come is imperative. The environmental movement has sought to find the solutions to these issues. EARLY YEARS While the environmental movement is generally under- stood to have officially begun in the 1960s and 1970s, there were some efforts to protect the environment through legislation and nonprofit organizations. In 1901,

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Overview of Environmental Issues